[Dave C]

Hi,
Since finding allofmp3 I have found myself drifting more and more toward the UK / US folk scene. When I say UK, I mean bands like Fairport convention, Seth Lakeman, Nick Drake, etc and US I mean bands like Gram Parsons, Joni Mitchell, Ron Sexsmith (Canadian I know) etc. Now, I love all of this stuff, but to me two 'modern' bands really stand out from the rest.
On the UK side you have Bellowhead (only done one album as far as I know which is fantastic) and on the US side The Decemberists; of which to me 'Picaresque' stands heads & shoulders above their other albums (and the others are excellent). Both of these bands are not what a purist would call folk music I am sure; they are a bit more 'funky', 'Baroque' or just 'lively'. I would highly recommend anyone to check them out.
If anyone knows of other bands similar to these two, or any other recommendations in this area, please post them,

Cheers,
Dave C

[Nightfly]

Dave ...Since you mentioned Fairport Convention.. do you know Richard Thompson who was from FC and has a great solo career..check him out.. also a great guitar player...I like Gram Parsons as well, check out his stuff with the Flying Burrito Brothers....I like Ron Sexsmith can you recommend a album by him? And the question Folk Music or is It?... Gram Parson is one of the originators of Country Rock and Fairport Convention was considered Folk Rock..and Joni is Folk ..but is doesn't matter what you label it...its all good..
Nighfly

[Dave C]

Originally Posted by Nightfly

Dave ...Since you mentioned Fairport Convention.. do you know Richard Thompson who was from FC and has a great solo career..check him out.. also a great guitar player...I like Gram Parsons as well, check out his stuff with the Flying Burrito Brothers....I like Ron Sexsmith can you recommend a album by him? And the question Folk Music or is It?... Gram Parson is one of the originators of Country Rock and Fairport Convention was considered Folk Rock..and Joni is Folk ..but is doesn't matter what you label it...its all good..
Nighfly

Hi Nightfly,
I tried the Flying Burrito Brothers and for some inexplicable reason could not get into them (music is a weird thing; I should like them???). I have several Richard Thompson albums and 'I want to see the bright lights tonight' is right up there with the best of them.
If you fancy trying Ron Sexsmith I would start with either 'Blue Boy' or 'Retriever' (the latter being probably the easiest to get into). That said, I think 'Ron Sexsmith' is his best album, but it is a 'grower' and definitely takes a several listens to fully appreciate (just changed my mind again, 'Retriever' is his best). Also, I have never tried 'Cobblestone Runway', which is meant to be excellent (I need to find somewhere to download this soon, otherwise I'm back to ordering the CD from Amazon).
NB. When are you going to pick a Genre and give us an insight into your favorites??
Cheers,
Dave C

[Nightfly]

Dave.... my favorite Thompson cd "Shoot Out The Lights"....I got a hold of
"Blue Boy" very good album..thanks for the recommend..
Will be adding to genres and favorites soon ..but have so many favorites from over many years ,in many genres.. I want to be focused..Maybe I will just put down what I'm listening to lately..anyways I'm off to get "Retriever"
Thanks,
Nightfly

[Nightfly]

Dave...Thanks...Love.. "Retriever" by Ron Sexsmith ..great songs..my wife
likes it alot too..she listens often to college radio and she was familiar with him already ...
Thanks,
Nightfly